Montane Winter Spine

Montane Winter Spine

The Montane Winter Spine is a continuous race along the Pennine Way covering 268 miles from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. Participants have a time limit of 156 hours to complete the route. The course crosses the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian’s Wall and the Cheviots. Total ascent is listed as 10,732 metres with total descent of 10,941 metres. Typical January conditions are shown as daytime temperatures between 0°C and 10°C, night temperatures between -10°C and 2°C, and around eight hours of daylight.

Main checkpoints include Birchcliffe, Hawes, Hardraw, Langdon Beck, Alston and Bellingham. Checkpoint services include hot meals, hot and cold drinks, sleeping space, toilets and showers at some locations, a professional medical crew, resupply bag handling, weather updates and volunteer support. The event is described as unsupported; participants may use cafes and pubs on the route but planned pacing, private support vehicles or organised external pacing are not allowed. Entry requires an age of 21 or over and relevant prior experience such as a mountain or moorland ultra over 100 miles or completion of a Montane Spine Challenger event, with other mountain events and comparable expeditions considered. Entry fee is £1,345 with a £600 deposit option and the balance due 100 days before the race. Payments are accepted online by debit or credit card. Places available are limited to 150. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.